Why do you think we are a + 7 win team?

[Zuck Fod]

Who were our corner backs in the Superbowl? It was TC and RH if I remember correctly. Not the best corners but good football players that fought every play. I feel this defense is very similar to the one in 2003, as long as we replace nakamura with a football player. The schedule is rough but there's a lot of winnable games in the first half of it. This team under Rivera finishes strong with a keep pounding, no quit attitude. As long as we start fast and I strongly believe we will, starting with a win at home against the Seahawks. 9 wins or more is almost certain.

[jarhead]

Unlike many I do not think we can win over 7 or 8 games with our existing secondary and OL. We say we want to run the ball but that requires an OL to run behind. To me the only way we could make the playoffs is if Cam has a pro-bowl season passing the ball.

[MadHatter]

1. We were a 7 win team last year
2. We were playing much better at the end of the season
3. We improved our DLine significantly
4. We improved the Secondary (experience and a couple of vets)
5. We improved the WR's (Hixon and Ginn are better than Murphy)
6. We lost no less than 5 games by the slightest of margins

If you can't see the reasons for some enthusiasim this season, then you never will.

[top dawg]

The first couple of years of Cam and the coaching staff, and the rest of the team was putting it all together. Now, experience should not be understated. We have the talent on both sides of the ball---and special teams, now, thanks to G-man---so really there is little excuse (other than the toughest schedule on paper in the NFL).  Being that the team literally gave away 3-4 games last year due to lack of experience , and pressing by many players (and coaches), you should easily be able to see that we could have reached 10 games last season.  Moreover, you have seen glimpses of greatness---particularly on the offensive side of the ball---so you know that we can be an offensive juggernaut. You also saw a basically young and inexperienced defense rank 10th in total defense notwithstanding some bad play and highly questionable play calling during the first part of the season.  The second half of the season should also give you a glimpse of what we can be defensively, and this is without Star and Short, and all the veteran leadership that was brought in to bolster a young defensive backfield. Sure, Mitchell and Florence, etc. may not be the cream of the crop, but they aren't rookies out there trying to figure things out.

 

Leadership and experience of Cam and Rivera, Kalil on the O-line, and a  veteran presence in the defensive backfield should also not be understated.

 

The ending of last season was not a fluke.  I realize it's easy to think that it was, but you have to look past the inexperience and bad luck--- and unrealistic expectations based upon inexperience, as well as your natural response to attribute Murphy's Law to the team because of the sum of all the negativity, and realize that experience has truly prepared the Panthers to turn the corner in 2013.

 

 

 

BTW, you might be able to find someone to give you a 12 pack of Bud for the Otah jersey (if you are lucky).

 

 

[DaCityKats]

Cam's light went on mid-year last season.  Consider if he had played the first half as well as the second:

 - No pick-6 vs. Chicago

 - No late game fumble in Atlanta

 - Catchable pass thrown at the goal line against Seattle.

That's a 10 win team right there.

 

Not to mention, he probably would have moved the ball better against Tampa Bay, and Dallas. 

 

So, pin it all on him.  If he maintains his level of play, then we should be much approved.

 

Now consider the additions on the defensive line, and the return of Kalil and Beason.

 

Convinced yet?

 

-that pick 6 was on a timing route were smitty slipped coming out of his break. but, why throw that type of route vs a team who plays cover 2 base? that is on coaching, and any cb playing in the NFL would pick that.

- yeah he fumbled on 3rd and 1. but again closing out a game, would BB go for it or punt to a offense he knows he could not stop? even Mike Smith went for it on 4th down on his side of the 50 becuase he knew he could not stop the opposing team offense.

- Cam threw a terrible pass that would have won the game no excuse for that. you pay all this bread=money to your backfield but did not attempt to run the ball one time. also why does Murphy gets a pass for not scoring on that slant route. i have never seen a 6'2 WR not score from the 1 yard line, he literally had to put the ball out.

 

in all coaching is one of the biggest crutches to this team, and retaining Rivera and putting Shula in the OC spot will leave even more concerns and ? for this team this season until proven otherwise.

 

[L-TownCat]

My biggest reason is that opposite of our divisional counterparts we are trending up.  ATL, NO are have reached their apex and IMO are beginning the decent.  

 

TB is a big if but i still dont think they mesh well enough with that weirdo head coach they have.

 

Any way enough about them,

 

Our team is filled with talent in all of the right positions, QB, DL, RB, LB.  Not only are we talented in those areas but we are scary good in those areas.  

 

It would be easy to get trapped into what we are good at but im not gonna.

 

The offensive line is what most people consider the focal point of our success this year.  I too am one of those people.  If healthy this offensive line has the necessary talent and drive to get it done.  We have road grading guards(assuming Kug) and intelligent tackles.  Now throw in a perennial Pro Bowl center and all of a sudden the O-line doesn't seem so shoddy.

 

The most discussed lineman we have has and continues to be Jordan Gross.  Now we all love his podcast but his age is less than desirable at his position.  My contrast to this is that for the last 2 years Jordan has been asked to do something hes never done.  He has been in charge of protecting a mobile QB in both years and had to deal with a DII rookie all of last year standing beside him.  Not trying to make excuses but his job is hard enough already and the FO didn't help him very much.

 

Point is, with the new/old OC in Shula we will return to a scheme that fits Jordan and his line-mates very well.  O-line is a go!

 

Now the other lynch-pin in our success, we at the huddle have decided that it is the Secondary.  Some see this as a glaring weakness to be feared as Brady, Brees, Ryan and others lick their chops for this tasty match up this upcoming season.  I too have worried about this group of castoffs late rounders and vets.  If our D-line was still as in bad of a shape as it was last year I would totally abandon ship and head for the nearest bar to drink away my sorrows.  Our d-line is not that bad, in fact they will be very good.  

 

With that said our secondary has a good mix of youthful exuberance, veteran savvy and guys that want to prove they belong.  That's a dangerous combo when the QB doesn't even have time to set his feet.

 

 

The season may turnout to be considered a failure or we could march right on into the playoffs with a bye.  This doesn't change that awesome chance we as Panther's fans have to cherish this fleeting moment of excitement and angst.  

 

Your question was why should we think we can win more than 7 games, my question is why cant we?

[wcuCATZ]

Rivera doesn't go full retard in end game situations, and that's good for two wins more than last year.

Our front seven is much improved, our cb's are better than people give them credit for, and if we can pick a safety up in FA our defense is going to win us at least one more game from last season. Hell if Nakanotgoodatfootballanymora Doesn't see the field that should be good for one win.

So that puts us at 10-6

Also i really want that Otah jersey. I heard you get 50% off at all McDonald's in Charlotte if you come wearing an Otah jersey since he was there all time biggest customer, both in terms of amount of food purchased, and the girth of his ass . 50 dollars for that would be a steal!

[SCP]

• We were a 7 win team last year
• We were playing much better at the end of the season
• We improved our DLine significantly
• We improved the Secondary (experience and a couple of vets)
• We improved the WR's (Hixon and Ginn are better than Murphy)
• We lost no less than 5 games by the slightest of margins

If you can't see the reasons for some enthusiasim this season, then you never will.

You are in the lead for the Otah jersey.

Congrats :-(

[wcuCATZ]

Rivera doesn't go full retard in end game situations, and that's good for two wins more than last year.

Our front seven is much improved, our cb's are better than people give them credit for, and if we can pick a safety up in FA our defense is going to win us at least one more game from last season. Hell if Nakanotgoodatfootballanymora Doesn't see the field that should be good for one win.

So that puts us at 10-6

Also i really want that Otah jersey. I heard you get 50% off at all McDonald's in Charlotte if you come wearing an Otah jersey since he was there all time biggest customer, both in terms of amount of food purchased, and the girth of his ass . 50 dollars for that would be a steal!

[SCP]

Some good answers in here.

[bleys]

My biggest reason is that opposite of our divisional counterparts we are trending up.  ATL, NO are have reached their apex and IMO are beginning the decent.  

 

TB is a big if but i still dont think they mesh well enough with that weirdo head coach they have.

 

Any way enough about them,

 

Our team is filled with talent in all of the right positions, QB, DL, RB, LB.  Not only are we talented in those areas but we are scary good in those areas.  

 

It would be easy to get trapped into what we are good at but im not gonna.

 

The offensive line is what most people consider the focal point of our success this year.  I too am one of those people.  If healthy this offensive line has the necessary talent and drive to get it done.  We have road grading guards(assuming Kug) and intelligent tackles.  Now throw in a perennial Pro Bowl center and all of a sudden the O-line doesn't seem so shoddy.

 

The most discussed lineman we have has and continues to be Jordan Gross.  Now we all love his podcast but his age is less than desirable at his position.  My contrast to this is that for the last 2 years Jordan has been asked to do something hes never done.  He has been in charge of protecting a mobile QB in both years and had to deal with a DII rookie all of last year standing beside him.  Not trying to make excuses but his job is hard enough already and the FO didn't help him very much.

 

Point is, with the new/old OC in Shula we will return to a scheme that fits Jordan and his line-mates very well.  O-line is a go!

 

Now the other lynch-pin in our success, we at the huddle have decided that it is the Secondary.  Some see this as a glaring weakness to be feared as Brady, Brees, Ryan and others lick their chops for this tasty match up this upcoming season.  I too have worried about this group of castoffs late rounders and vets.  If our D-line was still as in bad of a shape as it was last year I would totally abandon ship and head for the nearest bar to drink away my sorrows.  Our d-line is not that bad, in fact they will be very good.  

 

With that said our secondary has a good mix of youthful exuberance, veteran savvy and guys that want to prove they belong.  That's a dangerous combo when the QB doesn't even have time to set his feet.

 

 

The season may turnout to be considered a failure or we could march right on into the playoffs with a bye.  This doesn't change that awesome chance we as Panther's fans have to cherish this fleeting moment of excitement and angst.  

 

Your question was why should we think we can win more than 7 games, my question is why cant we?

 

just about exactly how I would have said it..  I question the leadership and the execution that it would take to win 9 or 10 games.  However, I've seen they have the ability more than enough, which includes the major holes that have held up at least 3 quarters a game (in '11) and nearly all of it except the last minute or so (in '12).  More pieces have been put in place to help slow that trend.  We'll see just how much (and if Shula can call a decent game).....

[TheRumGone]

being a fan of a team is knowing our strengths, recognizing our weakness and hoping for the best.

 

With this team hoping for the best isn't delusional. We have the talent, the coaching staff/management has been doing and saying all of the right things. We obviously need to prove it on the field.

 

I can't convince you, but since i'm a fan of the panthers i think we are a playoff team.

[wcuCATZ]

Rivera doesn't go full retard in end game situations, and that's good for two wins more than last year.

Our front seven is much improved, our cb's are better than people give them credit for, and if we can pick a safety up in FA our defense is going to win us at least one more game from last season. Hell if Nakanotgoodatfootballanymora Doesn't see the field that should be good for one win.

So that puts us at 10-6

Also i really want that Otah jersey. I heard you get 50% off at all McDonald's in Charlotte if you come wearing an Otah jersey since he was there all time biggest customer, both in terms of amount of food purchased, and the girth of his ass . 50 dollars for that would be a steal!

Double post? Never go full retard smh...

[G spot]

The sooner the fans have amnesia the better.    

 

Gettleman>Hurn

Cam and Chico in their 3rd yr

Luke at MLB

Star at DT

Healthy O'line

Competition in our WR, S, CB positions

Thunder and lightning and the bowling ball under Shula

Special teams overhaul

Strength of schedule schmedule